Alton, IA vs West Liberty, IA

Alton, IA and West Liberty, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Alton scores 71 while West Liberty scores 72 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alton is $750/month compared to $871/month in West Liberty — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alton has cheaper rent, West Liberty actually has lower median home values ($169,500 vs $204,600).

Median household income in Alton is $86,136 compared to $66,132 in West Liberty (+30.2%). Alton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alton spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 15.8% in West Liberty.